My parents don't want to pay for the transmission and whatever since they think aliga isnt "reliable", mainly because they dont really understand forums. But I figured, I'm working my butt off this summer anyways, so I'll save up and get a full swap. If I can't make that, then I'll just go after a tranny.

 

sounds like a plan, man. Perhaps you should slam a tranny in that thing anyway so you wont have to tool around in a FWD

 

LOL. I told evotion if he was local he would have gotten an even sweeter deal. shipping that tranny costs about 160 bucks to the west coast with dhl.

Good luck with the swap!

 

This might sound crazy, but it looks and smells like a similar problem I encountered. Check your ignition coils.
Same exact symptoms as you described. it was my left coil!